Seanad debates

Wednesday, 21 May 2003

Decentralisation Programme: Statements.

 

I welcome the fact that the Minister of State referred to the need for State offices to be seen as flagship buildings which make a statement and which are a source of pride to local communities. The Minister of State's Department – this happened before his time so he had nothing to do with it – built Government offices on Sullivan's Quay in Cork. They certainly make a statement which is that we are utterly indifferent to whatever plans Cork City Council has for preserving streetscapes and street levels. It is the ugliest building erected in Cork in the past 30 years and the only statement it makes is that the Office of Public Works is entirely indifferent to the plans that the local authority might have for the area. That is not just my opinion because I have discussed the matter with senior officials of the city council. It was made clear to them at an early stage that what they thought should be done in the city was a matter of indifference to the then Office of Public Works. That was 20 years ago, so it does not much matter.

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